Chapter 295 The Wait Is Over

*Ling Yue’s POV*

My knees dig into the mattress on either side of his thighs, my arms locked behind my back where the leather cuffs bind my wrists together.

The narrow black leather collar fits snug around my throat, its silver leash ring resting right at the dip between my collarbones. Jin Hao gathers the short silver chain in his fist, tugging it upward with a slow, ruthless pull that forces my chin back and exposes my throat entirely to him.

“How daring,” Jin Hao murmurs, his tone low and sharp against my skin. His free hand comes down hard against my left buttock with a crisp, stinging smack that makes my breath tear out of my throat. “Did I give you permission to come the first time?”

“N-no, Master…” I gasp, my hips twitching involuntarily as the sharp heat spreads across my skin.

“Then you learn patience,” he says.

He leans in, his teeth catching the peak of my left nipple, biting down hard enough that a jolt of pure fire shoots straight through my belly. I cry out, my chest heaving as he leaves a deep, purple-red mark on my skin before sliding his mouth back up to my jaw. He pulls back slightly before driving back into me, deep and unyielding, setting a relentless pace that pins me completely to his rhythm.

Every time I try to roll my hips to chase the friction, Jin Hao tugs the silver chain taut, keeping me under absolute control. He spanks the sensitive, flushed skin of my thighs twice more, firm and deliberate, holding me right on the edge until my entire body is trembling.

“Master… please,” I manage, voice shaking. “I can’t hold it—please let me.”

“Hmm…” Jin Hao hums low in his throat, his gaze heavy as he considers my broken plea while keeping his thrusts merciless and exact. He shifts his weight, thrusting deep into me three, four more times, the brutal rhythm stretching every second until my breath hitching is the only sound in the room. “Keep your eyes on me, Ling Yue.”

I force my eyes open, catching his dark, focused gaze through a blur of tears.

He doesn’t stop. He fucks into me harder, deeper, each thrust deliberate and punishing, the chain still tight in his fist so I have no choice but to stay exactly where he wants me. My thighs shake. My breath breaks into short, desperate sounds. The pressure builds until it borders on unbearable, my body clenching helplessly around him with every stroke.

Only then does he speak.

“Now.”

The moment the permission leaves his lips, the wave crashes over me with terrifying force. A broken sound escapes my throat as every muscle in my body clenches tight around him, my vision blurring into bright white flashes. Jin Hao follows a second later with a low growl against my neck, his arms locking around my waist to hold me pinned flush against his chest while our heartbeats hammer together in the quiet room.

The second the high wanes, the strict discipline vanishes.

Jin Hao reaches for the small key on the nightstand, clicking open the leather cuffs behind my back. My arms drop forward, stiff and heavy, and he immediately pulls the leather collar off my neck, tossing it to the side of the mattress.

He pulls me up into his lap, wrapping both broad arms around my back and drawing my face straight into the curve of his neck. His large palm gently rubs the warm, tender skin of my back, smoothing away the tension while his other hand strokes through my damp hair.

“Good boy,” he whispers against my temple, his breath soft and deliberate. “You handled that so well for me.”

I let out a long, shuddering sigh, pressing my face deep into his shoulder as the rush slowly drains out of my system. My heart rate settles against his ribs, transforming into a comfortable, thrumming satisfaction.

Jin Hao reaches for the glass of water on the nightstand, holding it steady while I take four long swallows. He sets the glass back down, then uses his thumb to gently trace the faint red mark where the collar rested against my throat.

“Better?” he asks softly.

“Much better,” I whisper, a lazy, contented grin spreading across my face as I rest my chin on his shoulder.

Once my voice returns, my usual energetic chatter follows right behind it. I reach out, tracing the outline of his jaw with my index finger.

“My team leader had a meeting with the upper management this morning,” I tell him, my eyes shining. “He is officially getting his promotion next month.”

Jin Hao looks down at me, his eyes softening. “Which means?”

“Which means I am taking over as Team Leader,” I say, unable to hide the pride in my voice. “My father didn’t even have to lift a finger. My team leader told management straight up that I have been running the daily projects anyway, so the position belongs to me.”

Jin Hao smiles, leaning down to press a firm kiss to the tip of my nose. “You earned every bit of it, Ling Yue. I am proud of you.”

“It feels amazing,” I admit, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “My team respects me, the projects are running smoothly, and my career is right where I want it.”

I pause, my thoughts shifting as I stroke the back of his neck.

“Speaking of my father,” I add with a light chuckle, “he mentioned you stopped by his office yesterday afternoon.”

Jin Hao lets out a soft laugh. “He wanted to thank me in person. The distribution deal I connected his company with finally went through yesterday. He had his secretary bring out some vintage tea to celebrate.”

I shake my head, feeling a swell of deep affection in my chest.

It still amazes me how natural things have become between them. Over the past few months since that night on the river bridge, Jin Hao did not just clear things with his own family—he took the time to build a comfortable bond with my father too. He used his personal network to help my father secure long-term business partnerships, and now my father calls him directly for dinner plans without needing me to mediate.

Everything Jin Hao promised me on that bridge, he delivered. He respected every boundary, and gave me all the time and space in the world to grow into my own life.

My work is going well, my career is moving forward, and our families are on board.

I look at his handsome, relaxed face, and suddenly, the realization hits me with absolute clarity.

There is nothing left to wait for.

“Jin Hao,” I say, my voice suddenly bright and firm.

He looks down at me, catching the sharp change in my tone. “Hmm?”

“I think I’ve made you wait long enough,” I say, sitting up straight on his lap.

Jin Hao blinks, looking slightly puzzled. “Wait for what?”

“What do you mean, for what?” I tease, nudging his chest with my elbow. “On the bridge after the fireworks, you told me to take my time and tell you when I was ready in my heart. Well, I am ready! My job is established, our families are close now, and I don’t want to keep calling you my boyfriend. I want to marry you.”

Jin Hao freezes completely.

For a man who can negotiate massive acquisitions without blinking, Jin Hao looks completely at a loss for words. He stares at me, his mouth parting slightly before a low, breathless laugh escapes his chest.

“Are you serious right now?” he asks, his voice dropping into a rough, disbelieving register.

“Of course I am serious!” I say, acting mildly offended as I cross my arms over my chest. “Did you think I’d joke about something like that? You are the one who told me to take my time, so don’t act surprised now that I am telling you!”

Jin Hao shakes his head, a bright, helpless smile spreading across his face. Without saying another word, he reaches over to the bedside nightstand, opens the top drawer, and pulls out a small, square velvet box.

He sets it right on the mattress between us.

I stare at the box, my jaw dropping. “Wait… you have it right here?”

“I’ve carried it in my coat pocket whenever I leave the house since the night of the festival,” Jin Hao admits, looking a little sheepish. “When I’m home, I keep it in that drawer. I promised I wouldn’t rush you, Ling Yue, but I wanted to be ready the moment you told me you were ready.”

Inside the box rests a platinum band with a single, brilliant diamond set flush into the inner side.

My chest tightens so fast it aches, a sudden rush of happy tears stinging the backs of my eyes. He had been ready all this time, silently holding onto this ring for months just to let me choose our timing on my own terms.

Jin Hao doesn’t kneel or make a grand performance. He simply reaches out, takes my left hand in his broad, steady grip, and looks straight into my eyes with pure, unvarnished devotion.

“Ling Yue,” he says softly. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I throw my arms around his neck before he can even lift the ring out of the velvet, pulling him down onto the bed with me. “Yes, obviously!”

Jin Hao laughs loudly, wrapping his arms securely around my waist and rolling us over until I am lying on top of his chest. He takes my hand and slides the platinum band smoothly onto my ring finger. It fits like it was made for me.

I hold my hand up against the ambient light of the room, watching the metal shine against my skin, my heart practically bursting out of my ribs.

“Team Leader and engaged,” I murmur happily, leaning down to press my lips against his jaw, his cheek, and finally his mouth in a deep, lingering kiss. “Best month ever.”

Jin Hao kisses me back, his fingers lacing tightly through mine, holding my hand right over his beating heart.

“The best is yet to come,” he whispers against my lips.